Nottingham Forest Requests VAR Audio Following Controversial Defeat
Nottingham Forest has formally requested the audio from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) as they contemplate filing a complaint after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
The club expressed significant dissatisfaction with the officiating by referee Rob Jones during the match held at the City Ground on Saturday.
Forest has approached the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to access the conversations between the on-field officials and the VAR team during critical moments of the game.
Head coach Sean Dyche argued that Rayan Cherki's winning goal, scored in the 83rd minute, should have been disallowed due to a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White. He also believed that Jones should have issued a second yellow card to Manchester City's defender Ruben Dias after halftime.
"It was such an easy game to referee, in my opinion, and such a straightforward decision for VAR," Dyche remarked after the match. "When you play so well, it is disappointing to have to discuss how officials influenced the game—yet they clearly did. Everyone in the stadium and those watching from home could see that."
Forest players voiced their concerns to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White was pushed by Nico O'Reilly while attempting to defend a corner, which hindered his ability to block Cherki's goal.
Dyche noted, "Morgan Gibbs-White was clearly pushed to the ground, and the same player obstructed the ball. He couldn't block it because, as he jumps, it goes through the part of his body that would have stopped it. No matter how you look at it, it’s a foul."
Although the VAR reviewed the goal, they upheld Jones' initial decision. The loss left Forest five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
The PGMOL has previously shared audio privately with clubs, including Nottingham Forest, and PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has discussed incidents on the Mic'd Up program.
Regarding City's decisive goal, Dyche added, "They might argue that the ball wasn't near the keeper. But if the ball is not close to the keeper and you push him to the ground, that should be a foul, right? We all know it is. I can't understand it, and then they score from it, which is the double whammy. I'm a big fan of VAR—I just can't comprehend how that decision was missed."
Former official Darren Cann commented on BBC Match of the Day, stating, "The VAR reviewed the goal and determined that no 'clear and obvious' error was made. I agree with that assessment. This decision is contentious; some will view it as a legitimate goal while others will see it as a foul. Therefore, the referee's call should stand."
Nottingham Forest has previously expressed discontent with Jones, especially when he sent off Willy Boly against Bournemouth two years ago, prompting then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo to call for VAR intervention on second yellow cards. Last season, Jones also sent off Nuno for dissent during a match against Brighton, leading to a charge from the Football Association.